~ Taking Action ~
Why should people of all ages participate in social action and service projects?
1. They develop a history of being involved in making a difference.
2. They learn that working together gives people power.
3. They learn that taking effective action is a process that involves specific skills.
4. We build on the natural desire of people of good-heart to be fair and right wrongs.
5. It relieves the stress caused by the feeling that we are helpless and must be shielded by government and mover and shakers in society.
In addition, participating in social action projects develops:
1. critical thinking skills
2. a caring community
3. an improved self-concept
4. higher moral development
5. citizenship skills
6. motivation to take action in the future
Here are some TPN social action and social justice lessons to get you started.
Being Mindful Prepare yourself for taking action
Caring for the Earth Take action on behalf of our planet
Designing a Social Action Project Where to start
Giving of the Heart Learning to give
One Person Can Make a Difference Ways you can effect change
Preparing to Be Giving Developing inner strength
Teach Action Research Carry out a small data collecting project in your classroom in order to improve your teaching.
Books that address social activism
Preschool and Elementary Level Books
-A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
-Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
-Akira to Zoltan: Twenty-Six Men Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
–Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier
-Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara
Intermediate and High School Level
–We March by Shane W. Evans
Heart of a Chief by Joseph Bruchac U/M
Mayfield Crossing by Vaunda Nelson U
–Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr. H/C
–Where Do We Go From Here by Martin Luther King, Jr. H/C
For Educators
You Can’t Say You Can’t Play by Vivian Paley
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